We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Margherita Andreani a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Margherita, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
How did you learn to do what you do?
I began my journey into photography through a combination of formal education and first hand experience. I am what you can call a self-taught photographer. I did take initial courses for the camera basics, but even before then it was trial and error. I loved going through all the options and numbers on my camera and discovering what each did, and how I could control light just by clicking a button. The courses I concentrated on were on composition and light play, since the technical aspects of digital cameras are practically common sense while composition is something you know, see, grow.
A significant part of my learning came from practical experience, shooting in different environments around New York City, experimenting with various subjects, and constantly challenging myself with weekly challenges. Film photography was always the big test, like a final exam, where I’d take out my light meter and go shoot. Only 36 exposures, no light cheat sheet, and just my creative eye scouting for the next epic street shot.
However, I wasn’t always alone test shooting. I had the privilege of learning directly from more experienced fine art photographers that gave me invaluable advice and shortcuts in mastering both technical skills and the artistry of photography.
Additionally, I did spent quite a long time in studying the work of the classic, renowned photographers and analyzing their techniques, developing a deeper understanding of their approaches to composition, storytelling, and visual style. Studying the work some of the great photographers of our time made me sure of one thing, I will never let go of my film cameras.
Lastly, I worked at photography studio during the pandemic, and observing these big shoots occurring right in front of me, with all our gear, allowed me to copy and paste lighting set ups that I never tried before. This also gave me the chance to have a fully equipped photo studio at my disposal to test in. Trail and error.
Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?
Looking back, one thing that could have accelerated my learning process is seeking mentorship or guidance from more photographers with different styles and niches. As someone who started in the fine art realm, it was difficult to imagine how it would be to do stock, or commercial photography.
I also wish to have taken more and more courses, there is always something to learn and it would have maybe sped up my learning process on some lighting aspects that I had to learn the hard way in the studio.
What skills do you think were most essential?
In my experience, mastering technical skills such as understanding the power of external lighting, and the overall camera capabilities was crucial. Equally important are the creative skills like composition and storytelling. These skills allow me to create work that resonates emotionally and visually, capturing the essence of the diverse subjects. This is what makes the work interesting and unique.
Lastly, people skills! Those are often underestimated but they are truly essential, especially in a city like New York. Building a rapport with my clients, understanding their needs, their characters, and effectively sharing visual ideas are vital in creating work to be proud of. For any of my shoots i make sure to chat, have my comedian routine going, in order to make my client feel at ease and be comfortable enough to let their true personality shine without any doubt or shyness in the room.
What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
The obstacle that I should mention is the competition and harshness in the creative world. But I do not feel like that is what has stood in my way. Personally. It’s always been myself and my doubts towards my work. To this day, years after creating my own brand, style and identity as a photographer, I still have days that I cannot stand my own work. The only advice I can give anyone reading this, keep going. Because your future self will think past self was so darn cool. Keep learning, keep trying, keep learning.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Margherita, like the pizza, not the drink! I am an Italian born and new york city raised, portrait photographer. I have been shooting my entire life until it became more than just my hobby but my full time work. I truly love what I do and I am sure it shows. I have been lucky enough to have worked with and learned from some incredibly talented individuals here in New York City. My amazing clients vary from artists, models, musicians, designers, businesses, social media personalities, to couples and more.
While editorial and creative portraits are incredibly fulfilling, I also love photographing couples and their love stories.
In every session, I am very hands-on and offer each of my clients more than a few images, but a fun, exciting experience. I like to say that my clients walk in as costumers and walk out as friends! And I truly mean that. Ensuring that my subjects are happy, comfortable and enjoying themselves makes a huge difference when it comes to the final product.
My passion for photography led me to a strong addiction to film photography, in all formats but often 35mm. Film has an elegance and softness that cannot be beaten, and I try to shoot in a hybrid format for my studio sessions.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that I had to pick a niche as a freelance photographer. Initially, I thought that specializing in a specific type of photography would make me more successful and focused – at least that’s what everyone told me. However, over time, I realized that this mindset was limiting my creativity and enjoyment in photography.
Trying to fit into the mold of what I think a ‘successful’ photographer should be—choosing a niche, targeting a specific audience, following trends in the industry, makes me feel restricted, uninspired and eventually burnt out.
I decided to break free from the notion of having to pick a niche. I allowed myself to explore different types of photography and take on diverse projects that aligned with my interests and creative vision. This way I can keep exploring my love for photography but also opened up new opportunities and expanded my client base. I learned that embracing my versatility and passion for various genres of photography allowed me to thrive creatively and professionally.
In essence, the lesson I unlearned was that success in photography is not solely determined by fitting into a predefined niche. Instead, it’s about being true to oneself, pursuing what you love, and letting creativity flourish without constraints.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Discovering the power of community earlier in my creative journey would have been invaluable. Utilizing social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook groups, and Tiktok for networking with other photographers can broaden your perspective and introduce us to new techniques and ideas. Following photographers whose work we admire can inspire creativity and will help you find your own style.
Another resource that I wish I had taken more advantage of earlier on would be photography workshops and meetups! Attending workshops, collaborative shoots, open studio events and local photography meetups is a great way to learn about diverse viewpoints and techniques. Meeting models, other photographers. designers and more. Even if one feels too shy to go meet some strangers, go to the event! That’s how you create your network and how you find your creative team.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.margheritaandreani.com
- Instagram: @imacheesecake
- Other: Tiktok: @imacheesecakenyc
Image Credits
PHOTO 1: KEANNA FAULKNER, 2023
PHOTO 2: ISOBEL WILLIAMS, 2024
PHOTO 3: GABRIELLE HAMILTON, 2023
PHOTO 4: BRENNA GATES, 2024
PHOTO 5: EDWINA RAI, 2022
PHOTO 6: GABRIELLE HAMILTON, 2023
PHOTO 7: BRIDAL PORTRAIT OF LISA
PHOTO 8: KEANNA FAULKNER, 2023